THAMES BARGE TRIP Monday 23rd October 2017

Our last Thames Barge trip of the year was a walk/sail trip and the walk along Maldon promenade provided the group with excellent views of two juvenile CURLEW SANDPIPERS in company with DUNLIN, COMMON RINGED PLOVER, COMMON REDSHANK, BLACK-TAILED GODWITS, PIED AVOCET along with lots of LITTLE EGRETS as the tide flooded in.

After an excellent lunch of homemade soup and filled rolls, we set off past Heybridge Basin and Northey Island where a mixed flock of PIED AVOCET and BAR-TAILED GODWITS flew past, whilst on Northey Island we found roosting WESTERN MARSH HARRIER and PEREGRINE FALCON plus a few EURASIAN ROCK PIPITS. Once we reached Osea Island, the sails were hoisted and we enjoyed travelling under wind power.

We headed back into Maldon after a fantastic afternoon, being blessed with good company, birds and weather.